Name: Jelle van Gorkom
Hometown: Duiven (near Arnhem), Netherlands
3 biggest BMX accomplishments (results): Olympic silver Rio, Brazil 2016! UCI BMX World champs silver Zolder, Belgium 2015! UCI World Cup win 2013 Papendal, Netherlands!
Congratulations on your book release. How did that come about?
Jelle van Gorkom: Thank you. Well, to be honest, we (Ad van Ham, a documentary editor and me) were talking about the documentary about my latest rehab, and I felt there was missing something and then we came up with the idea about my book! He always wanted to write a book, so do the math and the book was born: “Accepteren & Doorgaan” [Accept & Continue]. Ad asked me the questions, I gave him the answers.
How long did it take from the early talks to the final product?
Jelle van Gorkom: About an intensive 1,5 year! From the idea to the actual book!
You have always been a good talker, was it difficult for you to fill the pages for the book?
Jelle van Gorkom: Thanks! I've always been a good talker indeed. Since my accident I've lost let's say 20% of that! My speaking was unfortunately one area in my brain that got hit pretty badly! But work is in progress so it is getting better and better even if I say so myself.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.